Fact: Fear is Hurting Our Future Economy
Aug 31, 2010 Business
It may not be true that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, but it’s certainly true that lack of confidence is reining in an economy otherwise poised for gains.
Credit-Card Rates On The Rise? Not At These Banks
Aug 31, 2010 Business
When President Obama signed the Credit CARD Act into law last May, industry analysts predicted that tighter, consumer-friendly regulations would force banks to hike credit-card interest rates for everybody.\r\n\r\nThey were, of course, right.
Low prices and rates can’t slow fall in home sales
Aug 31, 2010 Business
Home prices in many parts of the country scream bargain, and mortgage rates haven’t been this low for decades. So why are houses across the nation sitting on the market for so long?Sales of previously occupied homes in the United States fell 27 percent in July, the weakest showing in 15 years, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. It
Chart of the Day: Housing Prices Since WWII
Aug 31, 2010 Business
That chart in this post, constructed from Case-Shiller data, shows the reality: home prices have actually been pretty steady over time. In fact, if you look at a fifty-year period after World War II, home prices were absolutely steady.So here’s the question: why do people think that home price appreciation is a law of nature, when it so clearly is.
Aisle by Aisle, an App That Pushes Bargains
Aug 31, 2010 Business
It’s like the most persistent sales clerk you’ve ever encountered.
Treating Customers as Online Equals Boosts Business
Aug 31, 2010 Business
When customers see that a company is devoting resources, effort and attention to enhancing relationships, they are more likely to become advocates for that company’s products or services, new business research finds.
Facebook Now ‘Worth $33 Billion\
Aug 31, 2010 Business
Facebook is now worth as much as $33.7 billion, after investors have paid up to $76 for a share in the company ahead of its much-hyped flotation on the stock market, according to a report.
Facebook Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Like Buttons
Aug 31, 2010 Business
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Facebook in a Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that the company commercially misappropriated the names and likenesses of minors without parental consent. The plaintiffs are seeking financial restitution for revenues and profits the company and third-parties earned from the alleged charges.In the suit, David Cohen v. Facebook (case #BC444482), the plaintiffs argue that there have been more than one million instances where Facebook has misappropriated a minors name or likeness for profit.At the core of the class action lawsuit is Facebooks Like button, and the Facebook ads that include photos and text descriptions of Facebook users who Like the company or the ad. The plaintiffs believe that Facebook is obligated to get parental consent before using minors Likes for commercial gain.When a teenager sees that their Facebook friends Like an ad, it piques their curiosity, making them more likely to click the ad or visit the page, says Los Angeles plaintiff attorney John Torjesen of John C. Torjesen & Associates. We believe it is a clear case of exploitation of children for the sake of profits.The text of the suit further details, Facebook encourages the participation of children on its social networking website, stressing the authenticity of the experience of communicating with friends. It then markets the names and likenesses of those children for us by advertisers, representing to advertisers that the use of the name and/or likeness of the child as an endorsement of the advertisers product can increase marketing returns by 400% compared to advertising that does not include an endorsement from the name or likeness of a child.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all Facebook members affected by the companys alleged wrong doing minors whose names and likenesses were used in a Facebook advertisement or landing page.Facebook denies any wrongdoing. We believe this suit is completely without merit and we will fight it vigorously, said Andrew Noyes, Facebooks manager of public policy communications, in a statement provided to Mashable.In 2009, Facebook settled a class action lawsuit for $9.5 million over its now-defunct Beacon program.[img credit: Thomas Roche]Reviews: Facebook, MashableMore About: class action lawsuit, facebook, Facebook Like, lawsuit, legalFor more Business coverage:Follow Mashable Business on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Business channelDownload our free apps for iPhone and iPad
U.S. Stocks Fall for Third Week, Longest Decline Since February
Aug 31, 2010 Business
U.S. stocks fell for a third week, sending the Standard & Poors 500 Index to its longest losing streak since February, as a record plunge in home sales raised concern the economy may relapse into a recession.
Graduating From IOU: Student Loan Debt in America (Graphic)
Aug 31, 2010 Business
In this infographic, we take a look at student loan debt in America. Which states are most saddled with loans? Does it make a difference if you go to a four-year public versus a private non-profit or private for-profit university?